What to know if you maxed out a credit card and stopped paying

If you’re poor — making less than $550 a week — or relying on Social Security, veteran’s benefits, or disability payments, you can’t be forced to pay off certain debts.

No one can be forced to pay without the collector showing some proof of the debt, such as the original agreement or payment history. And you can’t be forced to pay a debt that has gone more than six years without any activity on the account.